Posted on 08/17/2007 10:41:28 PM PDT by EternalVigilance
BOSTON - After a recent discovery by the press, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney appears to be pulling out his investments from two companies that use embryonic stem cell research. The discovery of his investments may have a negative effect on voters who already have doubts over the statesman's inconsistent record on life issues.
Members of the press and campaign opposition recently examined a federal financial statement and found that Romney owns stocks in Novo Nordisk and Millipore Corporation, two companies that use embryonic stem cells in their research, the Boston Herald Reports. Since the discovery was made public, Romney has stated that his investments will likely change to support his views.
"The trustee of the blind trust has said publicly that he will endeavour to make my investments conform with my positions, and I am confident that he will," said Romney. The former Massachusetts governor defended himself by saying that his investments were held in a blind trust which made him unable to specifically direct his funds. To some, however, this justification rings hollow in light of the fact that in 1994, he criticised Senator Edward M. Kennedy for the very same defense during the U.S. Senate campaign.
"The blind trust is an age-old ruse," Romney was quoted as saying at the time, the Herald reports. "You give a blind trust rules. You can say to a blind trust, don't invest in properties which would be in conflict of interest or where the seller might think they're going to get an advantage from me."
According to Romney's trust manager Brad Malt, of the law firm Ropes & Gray, the former governor took none of these precautions when the trust was established in 2002. Nevertheless, Malt also stated that it was impossible for Romney to predict where his money would go, for he "lost that ability once the trust was created."
According to the Herald, Romney owns between $190 and $250 million worth of assets. Out of this, he has between $100,000 and $250,000 invested in Novo Nordisk. On its official website, however, the company clearly states its support of embryonic stem cell research. (Read the Novo Nordisk statements on embryonic stem cell research: http://www.novonordisk.com/science/bioethics/stem_cell_ethic...).
Romney also invested in the Massachussetts-based Millipore Corporation, another company that uses embryonic stems cells for research. (See the Millipore website: http://www.millipore.com/corporate/pressroom.nsf/docs/73alx3).
Despite the fact that Romney appears to be pulling out of the problematic companies, the discovery of his these investments may shake the faith of conservative voters, especially since Romney's past record on life issues has been a slippery see-saw.
Ten years after declaring himself pro-choice, the former governor stated in 2004 that he had a pro-life conversion while discussing the very issue of embryonic stem cell research. He said, "It hit me very hard that we had so cheapened the value of human life in a Roe v. Wade environment that it was important to stand for the dignity of human life." Nevertheless, the recent discovery may once again have people questioning his motives and the reliability of such conservative claims during his run as presidential candidate.
Interestingly enough, however, it has also recently been discovered that the fiercely pro-life Senator Sam Brownback also had a much less sizeable amount of money invested in one of the same embryonic-stem-cell-using companies as Romney (Novo Nordisk), in the form of mutual funds. According to Brownback's financial disclosure records, he has between $1001 and $15000 invested in the mutual fund. Brownback's aides, however, have pointed out that in fact the fund is listed under one of Brownback's dependant children.
"The fund in question was not owned by Senator Brownback or his wife. It was owned by one of his children, who was unaware of the issue. The broker has already been contacted and instructed to sell the fund," said Brownback spokesman Brian Hart.
“I’ve never seen anyone with a worse case of it.”
Slick Willie and John F’n were pretty bad....’course they’re Dems.
Geez, when you think about that statement, OUCH.
“Once again, he doesn’t appear to be ready for primetime or playing hardball. This is a novice mistake.”
He is doing more than ok on the National level, so you are wrong.
No one has documented their claims about Mitt Romney better than I have.
Your refusal to read the proof and understand plain English is not my problem.
No kidding.
“Members of the press and campaign opposition recently examined a federal financial statement and found that Romney owns stocks in Novo Nordisk and Millipore Corporation”
What exactly did Romney discover? I say this as one that would vote for him. I saw Bush getting a free pass by many of his supporters on issue after issue. I will not stay silent and watch the next candidate be placed on the same “can do no wrong” pedestal. Even if I vote for the man.
I countered your regurgitated cut and paste crap from the hate Romney website. Ball is in your court and you are incapable of defending your position.
Abortion. Defend it and address my points.
I won’t hold my breath.
You are being subjective. I don’t believe he represents conservatism in this country.
I am not impressed with his positions, and I haven’t met anyone who is.
I believe we should demand more from our candidates, that they should represent true conservatism and a move away from big government. The more he speaks, the more I read about his pandering to the left... trying to be a “candidate for all people”. I won’t buy into that argument. We deserve a better candidate.
I’ve posted the documented proof too many times to count. (I’ve had to because the tactics of the Romneyites don’t exactly tend towards originality.)
You’ve already said that you choose to ignore that proof, and won’t even read it, so there’s nothing anyone can do to help you out of your delusions about the liberal former Governor of Massachusetts.
I pointed out how you are incorrect stating he passed abortion legislation.
You offer cut and paste nonsense that does not support your statement as I pointed out.
You cannot argue your point because that is all you have for talking points.
So enough of your abortion nonsense.
You obviously have a right to your opinion. I don’t agree with it and life goes on.
LOL...for someone with no actual arguments about anything, you’re sure mouthy.
Duncan Hunter CAN win, if grass roots people have the courage to stand behind their principles by standing behind him. Giving up never wins anything. We conservatives hung tough when fighting the amnesty bill, and WON! Lets hang tough for a true conservative - DUNCAN HUNTER!
If Fred truns out to be the nominee, even though he isn’t nearly as good as Hunter, I would support him, because Fred isn’t bad.
But if it’s Rudy McRomney, I’ll take a nap. :)
Please see post 50.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.